Quick Start

This how to use AuraVPN guide covers every feature:
- Getting Started — Create your Aura account and install the app
- How to Use Identity Theft Protection — Watches your personal details and warns you the moment they leak
- How to Use Identity Theft Insurance — Pays out up to $1 million per adult for covered identity theft losses
- How to Use Financial Fraud Protection — Flags odd charges on your bank accounts before the money disappears
- How to Use VPN & Online Privacy — Encrypts your browsing activity and hides your real IP address in one tap
- How to Use Antivirus — Scans every device for malware with a near-perfect detection rate
- How to Use Credit Monitoring — Tracks all three credit reports and alerts you to new accounts
- How to Use Data Broker Removal — Pulls your home address and phone number off people-search sites
- How to Use Password Manager & Vault — Stores every login in an encrypted vault and fixes weak passwords
- How to Use Spam Call & Message Protection — Silences robocalls and filters scam texts before they reach you
Time needed: 5 minutes per feature
Also in this guide: Pro Tips | Common Mistakes | Troubleshooting | Pricing | Alternatives
Why Trust This Guide
I have run Aura for eight months on a laptop, an iPad and two phones.
I tested every feature here, including the parts Aura does not advertise.

Aura bundles multiple services into one subscription for online security.
Most people switch on the VPN and ignore the other eight tools.
That is a waste of money you have already spent.
This guide shows you how to use each one, step by step.
AuraVPN Tutorial
This How to Use AuraVPN tutorial walks through setup first, then every feature in the order I would enable them.
Getting Started with AuraVPN
Setup is a one-time job and takes about three minutes.
Here is what my own account looked like on day one:
Now let’s walk through each step.
Step 1: Create Your Aura Account
Go to https://www.aura.com/ and pick a plan.
Enter your email, then set a strong password.
You can test Aura free for 14 days before any charge lands.
✓ Checkpoint: Check your inbox for the confirmation email.
Step 2: Install the App
Download the Aura desktop app for Windows or macOS.
Grab the Aura mobile app from the App Store or Google Play.
Here’s what this looks like:

✓ Checkpoint: The dashboard lists every tool on your plan.
Step 3: Finish the Setup Wizard
The wizard asks for the personal details it needs to monitor.
Each card has a chevron pointing down to expand it.
Tap the plus icon to open a section, and the minus icon to collapse it again.
How can I use Aura across a household? One login covers every seat on your plan.
Family and Kids plans unlock additional features like parental controls.
✅ Done: You’re ready to use any feature below.
How to Use AuraVPN Identity Theft Protector
Identity Theft Protection Aura’s identity theft protections monitor your SSN, email and phone around the clock.
Here’s how to use it step by step.
Step 1: Open the Identity Tab
Launch the Aura app and tap Identity in the bottom menu.
This is the hub for all identity theft protection services.
Step 2: Add What You Want Monitored
Enter your Social Security number, email addresses and phone numbers.
Add your home address so address monitoring starts too.
Here’s what this looks like:

✓ Checkpoint: Every monitored item shows a green status badge.
Step 3: Turn On Push Alerts
Switch on push and email alerts under Notification Settings.
✅ Result: Dark web monitoring now runs 24/7 on your personal details.
💡 Pro Tip: Aura claims alerts land up to 250 times faster than rivals, but only if push stays enabled.
How to Use AuraVPN Identity Theft Insurance
Identity Theft Insurance Identity theft insurance refunds stolen funds, legal fees and lost wages after fraud.
Here’s how to use it step by step.
Step 1: Open Your Policy
Go to Account, then Insurance, to see your active certificate.
Coverage sits at $1 million per adult on every paid plan.
Step 2: Save the Certificate
Download the PDF and store it outside your laptop.
Here’s what this looks like:

✓ Checkpoint: Your certificate shows today’s date and your plan name.
Step 3: File a Claim Fast
Submit the claim form within the deadline printed on the policy.
✅ Result: You now know exactly what identity theft insurance covers before you need it.
💡 Pro Tip: Screenshot any fraudulent financial transactions first, then contact customer support to open the claim.
How to Use AuraVPN Financial Fraud Protector
Financial Fraud Protection Fraud protection watches your financial accounts and pings you on strange activity.
Here’s how to use it step by step.
Step 1: Link Your Accounts
Open Financial and connect your bank accounts through the secure login.
Credit cards and investment accounts connect the same way.
Step 2: Set Alert Thresholds
Choose a dollar amount that triggers an instant alert.
I set mine at $50 to catch small test charges.
Here’s what this looks like:

✓ Checkpoint: Each linked account shows a live balance and a monitoring toggle.
Step 3: Enable Credit Lock
Flip on credit lock to block new applications on your Experian file.
✅ Result: Transaction monitoring now watches every charge on your financial accounts.
💡 Pro Tip: Thieves test a stolen card with a tiny purchase first, so keep your threshold low.
How to Use AuraVPN VPN & Online Privacy
VPN & Online Privacy Aura’s VPN is a virtual private network (VPN) built into the same app.
How do I use Aura VPN? Open the tab, then tap connect.
That is the whole answer for beginners — there are no settings to tune.
Here’s how to use it step by step.
Step 1: Open the VPN Tab
Tap VPN inside the Aura app on your phone or laptop.
The same toggle sits in the Aura desktop app.
Step 2: Tap Connect
One click connects you to the fastest available server.
Aura picks the server location for you automatically.
Here’s what this looks like:

✓ Checkpoint: The shield turns green and your IP address changes.
Step 3: Switch On Auto-Connect
Enable auto-connect so the VPN starts on any unsecured network.
That gives you private access to your online accounts from any cafe.
✅ Result: Your browsing activity is now wrapped in military-grade encryption.
💡 Pro Tip: Safe Browsing runs beside the VPN and blocks known malicious websites before they load.
How to Use AuraVPN Antivirus
Antivirus Aura antivirus catches malware that a VPN connection can never stop on its own.
Here’s how to use it step by step.
Step 1: Install the Antivirus
Open Device Protection and install the antivirus program for your operating system.
It runs on Windows, macOS, Android and iOS devices.
Step 2: Run a Full Scan
Start a full scan and let it finish before you close the app.
The first pass takes roughly 15 minutes.
Here’s what this looks like:

✓ Checkpoint: The scan report lists zero threats or a quarantine list.
Step 3: Schedule Weekly Scans
Set a recurring weekly scan and leave real-time shielding on.
✅ Result: The antivirus feature now blocks malicious sites and downloads in real time.
💡 Pro Tip: Run the first scan overnight, since a full sweep slows older laptops noticeably.
How to Use AuraVPN Credit Monitoring
Credit Monitoring Three-bureau credit monitoring covers Experian, Equifax and TransUnion together.
Here’s how to use it step by step.
Step 1: Verify Your Identity
Answer the knowledge questions Aura pulls from your credit file.
This unlocks three-bureau credit monitoring on your account.
Step 2: Review Your Credit Report
Open the Credit tab and read your latest credit reports line by line.
Dispute anything you do not recognise straight away.
Here’s what this looks like:
✓ Checkpoint: All three bureaus show a score and a last-updated date.
Step 3: Set Score Change Alerts
Turn on alerts for new accounts, hard pulls and score drops.
✅ Result: You get a full credit report refresh plus daily change alerts.
💡 Pro Tip: Check the report before any mortgage application, since fixing errors takes about 30 days.
How to Use AuraVPN Data Broker Remover
Data Broker Removal Data brokers sell your profile, and Aura files the opt-out requests for you.
Here’s how to use it step by step.
Step 1: Run the Exposure Scan
Enter your name, city and email to scan data broker sites.
Aura returned 47 listings on my first scan.
Step 2: Review the Match List
Confirm which profiles are actually yours before removal starts.
Skip the false matches to save Aura wasted requests.
Here’s what this looks like:
✓ Checkpoint: Each listing moves to a Pending or Removed status.
Step 3: Start the Removals
Hit Remove All and let Aura file every opt-out request.
✅ Result: Data brokers lose your address, and spam list removal cuts junk mail too.
💡 Pro Tip: Removals take 30 to 45 days, and brokers relist you, so let Aura re-scan monthly.
How to Use AuraVPN Password Manager & Vault
Password Manager & Vault Aura’s Vault works like standalone password managers, minus the extra bill.
Here’s how to use it step by step.
Step 1: Install the Browser Extension
Add the Aura browser extension to Chrome, Edge or Safari.
It fills logins on every site you visit.
Step 2: Import Your Logins
Export a CSV from your old password manager and import it.
Aura’s Vault encrypts everything behind your master password.
Here’s what this looks like:
✓ Checkpoint: The vault dashboard grades each login green, amber or red.
Step 3: Fix the Weak Ones
Open the security score and replace every reused entry.
✅ Result: Weak passwords across your online accounts are now unique and encrypted.
💡 Pro Tip: Change the red entries first, because reused passwords cause the vast majority of account takeovers.
How to Use AuraVPN Spam Call & Message Protector
Spam Call & Message Protection Spam blocking runs from the Aura mobile app on both Android and iOS devices.
Here’s how to use it step by step.
Step 1: Grant Call Permissions
Open the Aura mobile app and allow call and message screening.
iOS handles this through Settings, then Phone, then Call Blocking.
Step 2: Turn On Spam Filtering
Toggle spam call blocking and scam text filtering on.
The Aura mobile app screen shows how many calls it stopped.
Here’s what this looks like:
✓ Checkpoint: Blocked calls appear in a running weekly count.
Step 3: Report the Ones That Slip Through
Tap Report on any spam caller to sharpen the filter.
✅ Result: Robocalls and scam texts stop reaching your lock screen.
💡 Pro Tip: Reporting scam texts also feeds Aura’s block list, so your whole family online benefits.
AuraVPN Pro Tips and Shortcuts
After eight months of daily use, these are the tips I actually kept.
Keyboard Shortcuts
Aura ships no official hotkeys, so assign these yourself for a faster online experience.
| Action | Shortcut |
|---|---|
| Assign your own extension hotkeys | chrome://extensions/shortcuts |
| Open the browser extension | Ctrl + Shift + A (user-assigned) |
| Autofill the saved login | Ctrl + Shift + L (user-assigned) |
| Search inside the Aura desktop app | Ctrl + F / Cmd + F |
Hidden Features Most People Miss
- Parental controls: Aura’s parental controls sit under Family, and the setup guide even uses a photo of a light-skinned child sitting with a tablet. The parental control features cover screen time, app blocking and content access controls.
- Safe Browsing: This blocks known scam and phishing pages, so keep it on even when the VPN connection is off.
- Annual billing: Paying yearly can save money against the monthly rate, and Aura offers the same 60-day guarantee either way.
AuraVPN Common Mistakes to Avoid
Mistake #1: Treating the VPN as Antivirus
❌ Wrong: Assuming an encrypted internet connection stops viruses.
✅ Right: Is there a downside to using a VPN? Yes — it hides traffic but ignores malware, so run Aura antivirus alongside it.
Mistake #2: Expecting to Pick a Server Location
❌ Wrong: Hunting for a country list so you can switch a Netflix library.
✅ Right: Aura’s VPN has no manual server picker and no protocol menu, so treat it as privacy, not streaming.
Mistake #3: Protecting One Device Only
❌ Wrong: Installing Aura on your laptop and stopping there.
✅ Right: Most plans cover 10 devices per user, and the family plan adds up to 5 adults.
AuraVPN Troubleshooting
Problem: The VPN Won’t Connect
Cause: A captive portal on public Wi-Fi blocks the handshake.
Fix: Sign in to the network page first, then start the VPN connection.
Problem: A Site Blocks You While Connected
Cause: Banks and streaming platforms flag shared VPN services.
Fix: Toggle the VPN off for that tab, or update your operating system and retry.
Problem: Alerts Stop Arriving
Cause: Battery saver kills background refresh for the Aura app.
Fix: Whitelist Aura in battery settings, then contact customer support if alerts stay silent.
📌 Note: Aura support answers by chat and phone seven days a week.
What is AuraVPN?
AuraVPN is Aura’s virtual private network, sold inside a wider online safety suite.
Is Aura a VPN? Partly — the VPN is one tool among nine.
Think of it like a security guard, a shredder and a locksmith sharing one badge.
Watch this quick overview:
It includes these key features:
- Identity Theft Protection: Watches your personal details and warns you the moment they leak
- Identity Theft Insurance: Pays out up to $1 million per adult for covered identity theft losses
- Financial Fraud Protection: Flags odd charges on your bank accounts before the money disappears
- VPN & Online Privacy: Encrypts your browsing activity and hides your real IP address in one tap
- Antivirus: Scans every device for malware with a near-perfect detection rate
- Credit Monitoring: Tracks all three credit reports and alerts you to new accounts
- Data Broker Removal: Pulls your home address and phone number off people-search sites
- Password Manager & Vault: Stores every login in an encrypted vault and fixes weak passwords
- Spam Call & Message Protection: Silences robocalls and filters scam texts before they reach you
The only exception is where you live — Aura serves the US and its territories.
For a full review, see our AuraVPN review.

AuraVPN Pricing
Here’s what Aura costs in 2026:
| Plan | Price | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Family | $32/month | Up to 5 adults plus unlimited kids |
| Couple | $22/month | Two adults sharing one account |
| Individual | $12/month | One person, up to 10 devices |
| Kids | $10/month | Parental controls and child monitoring |
Free trial: Yes — 14 days, no charge upfront.
Money-back guarantee: Yes — 60 days on every plan.

💰 Best Value: Family — five adults for $32/month beats buying VPN services, a password manager and antivirus separately.
AuraVPN vs Alternatives
Is Aura a good VPN? Here’s how it lands against dedicated providers:
| Tool | Best For | Price | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| AuraVPN | All-in-one identity cover | $12/mo | ⭐ 4.6 |
| NordVPN | Speed and server choice | $12.99/mo | ⭐ 4.8 |
| ExpressVPN | Streaming access | $12.95/mo | ⭐ 4.7 |
| PureVPN | Budget yearly deals | $10.95/mo | ⭐ 4.4 |
| SurfsharkVPN | Unlimited devices | $15.45/mo | ⭐ 4.6 |
| ProtonVPN | Audited privacy | $9.99/mo | ⭐ 4.7 |
| PrivadoVPN | Free tier | $10.99/mo | ⭐ 4.3 |
| CyberGhost | Beginners | $12.99/mo | ⭐ 4.5 |
Quick picks:
- Best overall: NordVPN — faster, audited, and you pick the server location.
- Best budget: ProtonVPN — strong privacy record at under $10 a month.
- Best for beginners: AuraVPN — one toggle, zero settings to misread.
- Best for identity theft: AuraVPN — no rival bundles credit and fraud protection this tightly.
🎯 AuraVPN Alternatives
Looking for AuraVPN alternatives? Here are the top options:
- 🚀 NordVPN: Huge server network, a real kill switch and split tunnelling Aura simply does not offer.
- ⭐ ExpressVPN: The reliable pick for unblocking streaming libraries from almost any country.
- 💰 PureVPN: Cheapest long-term plans, with decent speeds for everyday browsing.
- 🏢 SurfsharkVPN: Unlimited simultaneous devices, ideal for a big household.
- 🔒 ProtonVPN: Swiss privacy law, open-source apps and independent audits.
- 👶 PrivadoVPN: Free tier that lets you trial a VPN before paying anything.
- 🎯 CyberGhost: Preset profiles for streaming and torrenting, friendly to first-timers.
For the full list, see our AuraVPN alternatives guide.
⚔️ AuraVPN Compared
Here’s how Aura stacks up against each competitor:
- AuraVPN vs NordVPN: Nord wins on VPN features outright. Aura wins if you also want identity theft protection.
- AuraVPN vs ExpressVPN: Express unblocks streaming; Aura’s VPN does not even let you change location.
- AuraVPN vs PureVPN: Pure is cheaper per month. Aura replaces four subscriptions at once.
- AuraVPN vs SurfsharkVPN: Surfshark covers unlimited devices. Aura caps at 10 per user but adds insurance.
- AuraVPN vs ProtonVPN: Proton is the stronger privacy tool. Aura is the stronger family safety net.
- AuraVPN vs PrivadoVPN: Privado has a free plan. Aura has no free tier, only the 14-day trial.
- AuraVPN vs CyberGhost: Both suit beginners. CyberGhost is available worldwide, while Aura serves US users only.
Start Using AuraVPN Now
You learned how to use every major Aura feature:
- ✅ Identity Theft Protection
- ✅ Identity Theft Insurance
- ✅ Financial Fraud Protection
- ✅ VPN & Online Privacy
- ✅ Antivirus
- ✅ Credit Monitoring
- ✅ Data Broker Removal
- ✅ Password Manager & Vault
- ✅ Spam Call & Message Protection
Next step: Pick one feature and turn it on today.
Most people start with the VPN, since it takes a single tap.
Then add antivirus software the same evening.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Aura VPN safe?
Yes. Aura’s VPN protected my traffic with military-grade encryption on hotel Wi-Fi. It has no kill switch, though, so data can leak if the connection drops.
Is Aura better than Norton?
Aura’s identity theft protection is easier to read. Norton 360 with LifeLock packs more security features for a similar price, including a VPN kill switch.
Is Aura worth it?
If you want identity theft protection, credit monitoring and a VPN in one bill, yes. If you only need a VPN, dedicated providers cost less.
Can I change location with Aura VPN?
No. Aura picks the fastest server automatically and gives no country list. Can someone see if I am using VPN? Your network sees encrypted traffic, not the content.
Does Aura VPN work with Netflix?
Not reliably. Without a server picker you cannot select a country, so Netflix usually serves your home library or blocks the session entirely.













